K2 is not OK: Michigan State Police will enforce synthetic drug ban with zero tolerance on July 1 | MLive.com

K2 is not OK: Michigan State Police will enforce synthetic drug ban with zero tolerance on July 1 | MLive.com
By Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com

SAGINAW, MI — Businesses and individuals selling and using synthetic drugs have a few more days to stop or their behavior could land them in jail.

On Sunday, July 1, Michigan State Police will begin enforcement of the new law signed by Gov. Snyder last week that makes the sale, possession and use of spice and bath salts illegal.

K2 is NOT OK (pdf) 

Police officers are already working to notify store owners and anyone else involved with spice or bath salts that the synthetic drugs will no longer be welcome come Sunday.

"Following July 1, we're taking a zero-tolerance approach," said Michigan State Police Bay City Post Assistant Commander Amabo Arceo.

The new law places the synthetic drugs in the Schedule I category and makes distribution and possession felony offenses.

Anyone charged with manufacturing or delivering or possession with intent to deliver can be charged with a 7-year felony, Arceo said.

Anyone found in possession of the soon-to-be-banned drugs could face a two-year felony charge, Arceo said.

Users of the drug, if caught by police, could face a one-year misdemeanor penalty, he said.

Arceo said he knows of stores in Bay County and surrounding areas that are selling the spice and bath salts. He and other backers of the law hope it will provide enough disincentive to holding the drugs to mostly eliminate their presence in Michigan.

"We hope so," Arceo said. "These drugs have caused seizures, elevated heart rates, hallucinations and even death."